Reporting cruelty

The Nova Scotia SPCA encourages individuals to report all suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Without the assistance of the public, our mission to prevent cruelty to animals, help animals in need, and prosecute offenders would be nearly impossible.

If you suspect animal cruelty, call the Nova Scotia SPCA provincial office at 902-835-4798 or toll-free at 1-888-703-7722.

The Nova Scotia SPCA provincial office is staffed from 9AM to 5PM Monday to Friday. When calling after hours, please leave a brief message along with your name, and the phone number where you may be reached during normal business hours. Outside regular office hours, if you feel you are dealing with an emergency, please call your local police department or RCMP detachment.

We will respond to your complaint as quickly as we can, but we have a limited number of qualified agents spread around the province, and we must prioritize the reports we receive. If you feel the situation you reported is worsening, or becoming urgent, please call to let us know that things have changed. If you are dealing with a true emergency, and an animal is at risk or permanent injury or death, call your local police department or RCMP detachment.

All complaints are strictly confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions about Reporting Animal Cruelty

Q. Do I need to leave my name to make a cruelty complaint?
A. It is preferred that you leave your name. All calls are confidential, and a complainant’s identity is strictly protected from disclosure to others. While anonymous complaints are accepted, the Society makes every effort to maintain the confidentiality of complainants and their name and telephone number is important in the event that additional information is needed by the investigator. In addition, with anonymous complainants, investigators have no ability to check the status of the complaint against the accused. Therefore, anonymous complaints will be reviewed on a case by case basis. They will be investigated based on the level of detail provided by the complainant, the number of complaints against the individual or property, and the availability of resources in the area.

Q. Who do I call concerning a problem I saw at a pet store?
A. Nova Scotia SPCA investigators are authorized to inspect pet shops that offer animals, birds, fish or reptiles for sale or exhibit within the province of Nova Scotia; however, they can only act if animals are found in distress and the owner or caregiver is unwilling to remedy the distress.

Q. Do I call the Nova Scotia SPCA about stray dogs?
A. No. You should call your municipal Animal Control agency.

Q. What about stray cats?
A. Although the Nova Scotia SPCA makes every effort to shelter stray cats when space is available, stray and feral cat overpopulation is becoming an epidemic in this province, and cat control does not fall within the Nova Scotia SPCA's mandate. Unfortunately, Municipal Animal Control agencies generally refuse to respond to stray cat populations unless the municipality concerned has a cat by-law. If you are concerned about stray and feral cats in your area, please write to your local councillor to tell them you expect your local government to intervene.